Ottoman Iraq

Ottoman Iraq (Arabic: العراق العثماني) refers to the period of the history of Iraq when the region was ruled by the Ottoman Empire (1534–1920; with an interlude from 1704 to 1831 of autonomy under the Mamluk dynasty of Iraq).
Before reforms (1534–1704), Iraq was divided into four Eyalets (provinces):

Flag of the Ottoman Empire

Ottoman Iraq was later (1831–1920) divided into the three vilayets (provinces):

A map showing the administrative divisions of the Ottoman Empire in 1317 Hijri (1899 Gregorian), including Ottoman Iraq

During World War I, an invasion of the region was undertaken by British Empire forces and was known as the Mesopotamian campaign. Fighting commenced with the Battle of Basra in 1914 and continued for the duration of the war. The most notable action was the siege of Kut, which resulted in the surrender of the British and British Indian Army garrison of the town in April 1916, after a siege of 147 days.[1]

Contemporary maps, showing eyalets (pre Tanzimat reforms)
Maps of contemporary Ottoman Iraq showing eyalets (pre 1864 Vilayet law)

Contemporary maps, showing vilayets (post Tanzimat reforms)
Maps of contemporary Ottoman Iraq showing vilayets (post Tanzimat reforms)
  • 1855, showing sanjaks
    1855, showing sanjaks
  • 1873
    1873
  • 1893
    1893
  • 1900 (Stanford), showing vilayets
    1900 (Stanford), showing vilayets

References
  1. The National Archives – Exhibitions – First World War – Battles – The Mesopotamia campaign

See also
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